IF YOU THINK A CHILD IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL 911.
Report Child Abuse
Calm a Crying Baby
Child Abuse and Neglect
In 2021, there were more than 44,000 reports of child abuse and neglect taken by the Arizona Department of Child Safety. The vast majority of child maltreatment is largely preventable, and community is the frontline of child abuse prevention. As a member of your community, there is a lot you can do to strengthen families and prevent maltreatment from happening in the first place.
Reporting
If you suspect abuse, it is your duty to report it, especially if you are a mandatory reporter identified by the Arizona Revised Statute § 13-3620. If you want to learn more about reporting suspected abuse or neglect, watch our 45-minute mandatory reporter training that explains what to look for and how to respond.
In Arizona, all child abuse reports are accepted through the Arizona Department of Child Safety, which is primarily responsible for investigating child maltreatment and determining if children are safe. The department is not designed to be a resource referral for families in need – this is the role of other entities and people who care, such as schools, churches, nonprofits, and community members like you.
Reporting is not the only way to protect children – the first and best way to protect children is to support and strengthen their families so that maltreatment does not occur in the first place.
People like you have a powerful role in supporting and strengthening families. If you’re in a position to make a report about a child or family, you are likely also in the position to be able to provide support. Prevent Child Abuse Arizona believes in mandatory supporters just as much as mandatory reporters. Since we all have a role to play in preventing child abuse before it occurs, we can all consider ourselves mandatory supporters.
Supporting
How can you strengthen families in your community? It starts with viewing families through a lens of empathy, non-judgment, and respect. Consider yourself a parent ally. Instead of only looking for risk factors of abuse, look for a family’s strengths and opportunities to support parents, too. Look for ways to build Protective Factors that buffer stress. These protective factors include parental resilience, social connections, concrete support in times of need, children’s social and emotional competence, and knowledge of parenting. As a community, there are multiple creative ways to build protective factors with families.
In 2020, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona facilitated focus groups around Arizona to learn how various communities in our state build protective factors in families. These discussions led to a toolkit called Lean On Me AZ. This campaign offers tips and tools to seize those everyday chances to make a difference in your community.
Do I Report or Do I Support?
There is no one answer to this question, as it depends on the situation. Keep in mind that if you feel you must make a report, you can also look for opportunities to support. The table below offers some signs and actions for supporting families and reporting child maltreatment.
Signs | |
Support | Report |
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Actions | |
Support | Report |
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Resources & Hotlines
Crisis and support contacts For Child Abuse
Reporting Numbers in your State please visit:
Child Welfare Information Gateway
A listing of State toll-free numbers for specific agencies to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.
Hotlines
Safe Baby Haven
Help available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Safe Haven law identifies places where mothers can safely and anonymously surrender their babies without fear of prosecution.
Childhelp USA
Operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature and referrals.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
24-Hour Hotline and CyberTipline (for reporting child sexual exploitation)
If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The Congressionally-authorized Cybertipline is a means for reporting crimes against children. Reports may be made 24-hours a day, 7 days a week online at www.cybertipline.com
National Runaway Safeline
A listing of State toll-free numbers for specific agencies to receive and investigate reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.
Family Resources
Grandparent Information Center
For grandparents raising grandchildren, professionals, support groups, researchers and policy makers. ing to discuss issues related to raising children.
Parent Resources
Arizona’s Children Association
(928) 443-1991
ArizonasChildren.org
Email
Arizona Friends of Foster Care
Baby Center
Expert advice, community forums, news and blogs
Birth to Five Helpline
Free call to child development specialists for any questions about children ages 5 and under.
Never Shake a Baby
Tips to soothe a crying baby
Parents as Teachers Program
Free home visiting program offering early childhood family education and support
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona
PCAAZ.org
Fun parenting tips, important news updates and calls to action to help Arizona’s children
Text for Baby
Health and safety tips from birth to age 1
The positive Parenting Program
The Positive Parenting Program
Yavapai Kids Book
A searchable directory of all resources and services available to families in Yavapai County.
Under Crisis and Support
Yavapai Family Advocacy Center
Provides care and services to those who have experienced child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and/or elder abuse.
Prevent Child Abuse America
A resource for tips, referrals, and parenting materials. In participating states, calls will be connected to the state chapter. For non-participating states, the national office.
Healthy Families America® (HFA)
An innovative initiative designed to support and educate new parents through voluntary home visitation.
National Children’s Advocacy Center
The National Children’s Advocacy Center is a non-profit organization that provides training, prevention, and treatment services to fight child abuse and neglect.
Circle of Parents
A family support program offering free weekly meetings for anyone in a parenting role wanting to discuss issues related to raising children.